Center rail for key-actions



O. L. SWALLOW.

CENTER RAIL FOR KEY ACTIONS.

APPLICATION F ILED MAR. 20. 19I9.

1 ,3 1 9, 188. Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

0.,L.$ulallow mz dunno/go OSCAR I1. SWALLOW, OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS.

CENTER RAIL FOR KEY-ACTIONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

Application filed March 20, 1919. Serial No. 283,796.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR L. SWALLOW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fort WVorth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas,have invented a new and useful Center Rail for Key-Actions, of whichthe'following is a specification.

This invention relates to center rails for the keys of keyboards such asform parts of pianos, and like instruments.

An object of the invention is to do away with the center pins ordinarilyemployed; to eliminate the guide pins on the front rail; and to dispensewith the chiseling heretofore necessary to provide holes for bushings.

Another object is to provide a center rail which extends over the keysand can be adjusted easily.

A further object is to provide a struc ture which will prevent the keysfrom rattling and turning sidewise and which is more simple inconstruction and more durable than the constructions heretofore used.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combina tions of parts which will be hereinafter morefully described and pointed out in the claims it being understood thatvarious changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of partswithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings the pre ferred form of the invention hasbeen shown.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a portion of the railand adjacent parts, some of the keys of the keyboard being shownconnected thereto, said keys being in section on the line 11, Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the front of the rail and adjacent parts,the keys being in section on the line 22, Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of oneof the keys, the rail being shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a detail View of one of the hangers or flanges.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 designates endposts having vertical slots 2 in their upper ends for the reception ofscrews 3 which engage the end portions of the center rail 4. The frontface of the rail 4 is formed with an overhanging longitudinal shoulder 5and an inwardly extending groove in line with the shoulder, as shown at6. Hangers or flanges 7 are adapted to be secured to the front face ofthe rail and each is formed of a single strip of metal folded to form aloop 8 while end lapping end portions of the strip are slotted as at 9for the reception of fastening screw 10. Ears 11 extend rearwardly fromthe upper end of the back thickness of the hanger or flange and projectinto the groove 6, the upper end of the other thickness of the saidhanger abutting against the shoulder 5. Thus the hanger is held securelyand cannot swing laterally or toward or from the rail. The lower or loopend of the hanger is preferably reduced in width so as to enter readilyan opening 12 formed in the key 13, where it is connected to the key bya pin 14.

By loosening the screws 3 the rail 4: can be raised or lowered, therebychanging the dip of all the keys.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with posts, of a rail connected to the posts for upand down adjustment, there being a longitudinal groove within the rail,hangers secured to the rail and having ears extended into the groove,and keys extending under the rail and pivotally connected to andsupported by the respective hangers.

2.. The combination with posts, of a rail connected to the posts for upand down adjustment, there being a longitudinal shoulder and groove uponthe rail, hangers secured to the rail and abutting against the shoulder,ears upon the hangers and fitted snugly within the groove, keysextending under the rail, and pivotal connections be- OSCAR L. SWALLOVV.

Witnesses:

J. E. KNIGHT, Z. MESTRALLET.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

, Washington, D. G.

